South Africa have suffered a huge blow as star pacer Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the second Test match against Sri Lanka and from the all-format series against Pakistan. Coetzee featured in the first Test in Durban and picked up a groin injury due to which he is expected to miss out on cricketing action for the next six weeks.
Coetzee picked up the injury while bowling on Day 4 of the first Test. Scans have confirmed that the right-arm pacer has a muscle strain in his right groin. "Proteas Men’s fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the second Test against Sri Lanka and the upcoming all-format tour against Pakistan due to a groin injury," Cricket South Africa confirmed in a post on X.
"The 24-year-old experienced discomfort while bowling on day four of the first Test at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Saturday. Results of the scan revealed a right groin muscle strain. His recovery period is estimated to be between four to six weeks," the board added.
Coetzee bowled sporadically on Day 4 of the Test. He sent down three overs in his first spell on the morning before delivering two in the second spell. Coetzee came in and bowled three overs in the second session and got the wicket of Dinesh Chandimal.
The South Africa coach, Shukri Conrad had said after the end of the day's play that Coetzee had told him at lunch that he "felt a groin niggle".
South Africa steamrolled Sri Lanka in the first Test in Durban. The Proteas had set a daunting target of 516 ahead of the visitors on a surface that flattened out as the game progressed. However, the Lankan Lions were bowled out for 282. The second Test of the series kick starts on December 5 in Gqeberha.
South Africa will be hosting Pakistan for an all-format series that comprises three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. The series starts on December 10 with the T20Is first up. The ODIs follow next from December 17 onwards with the Tests slated last. Centurion will host the Boxing Day Test, while Cape Town will host the second Test from January 3.
Coetzee's injury adds more troubles for South Africa. Wiaan Mulder has been ruled out of the second Test, while speedster Nandre Burger is also out of the summer. South Africa are also without Lungi Ngidi till January.
